The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist is a program coordination position for both the Compensated Work Therapy/Vocational Rehabilitation (CW/VR) and Peer Support Program Services. This position is under the supervision of Recovery Services Program Manager (provides the clinical supervision as well for these roles), Mental Health Integrated Care Community, Fargo VA HCS, Fargo, ND.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Providing technical and administrative supervision to a team of Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists and Peer Apprentices/Specialists. Overseeing the daily operations of the team, ensures that agency policies and priorities are followed, develops performance standards, and evaluates work performance of the subordinates. Interviewing candidates for positions in the unit as well as recommending appointments, promotions, and reassignments to unit positions. Serving as the occupational preceptor for Vocational Services Staff and graduate students, as well as promoting the occupational skill development. Creating and maintaining curriculum for onboard training of SE and TW Veteran participants. Providing training to internal and external service providers on compliance/adherence to handbooks and best practices. Must be knowledgeable about the management of Veterans with occupational deficits, utilization of available resources in the creation and sustenance of job opportunities for Veterans, and the processes, methods, techniques, and procedures applied in planning, analyzing, and facilitating new work opportunities and processes for Veterans challenged by chronic unemployment, mental health difficulties, past substance abuse, and extant psychosocial challenges, including homelessness. Responsible for compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and VA regulations in all work-for-pay programs. Delegating appropriate authority to subordinate treatment staff, assigning responsibility for overall performance and meeting performance measures. As required due to staffing or workload fluctuations, performs duties and responsibilities as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist. Performing other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 08:00 a.m. to 04:30 p.m. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-12 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-12: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: Work that required obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities, knowledge of the interrelationships of the involved professional and specialist services, and skill in employing the methodology and techniques of counseling to motivate and encourage individuals served by the program. Experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention. Experience in vocational guidance or teaching in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or school, developmental or supervisory work in programs of vocational rehabilitation or training programs for the disadvantaged, or personnel or employment placement work that provided extensive knowledge of the training and adjustment requirements necessary to place persons having disabilities or social adjustment problems. AND DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT: This position requires a current, valid state driver's license. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your current, valid, and unrestricted state driver's license. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: AccountabilityCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)LeadershipPlanning and Evaluating IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. The stress related to providing services to clients in emotional distress or who may be demanding and uncooperative can be more significant than that of most sedentary positions. Duties will be performed within the medical center, in the community and at training or work sites. Other work environments may be encountered as a regular part of the job duties. These other work environments may include, but are not limited to, being outdoors, in temperature uncontrolled areas and noisy areas. The incumbent may use a government vehicle to transport clients to work sites, community resources, etc. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Fargo VA Medical Center 2101 Elm Street Fargo, ND 58102 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]